Chapter 12: Broken on the Inside and Out

" I can't believe I'm dating Dylas." Calliope's eyes widened with wonder as she spoke to Dolce." It almost feels like a dream. It's been a few days and no one knows about them, well except Dolce and Pico. Though, this dream felt closer to a nightmare than a happy dream.

" I'm so happy for you. You finally got the one person you wanted." Dolce softly spoke. The Lolita didn't think that at all. In all actuality, she should have been with Leon not that bumbling idiot horse. She drank her tea and sighed. But it's not her place to speak out just yet. Calliope has to remember everything first. " Does anyone else know or just us?" Dolce pulled out her phone, quickly texting Meg about this.

" Nah just us. Next time I'm with Dylas, I'm gonna hold his hand in front of everyone. I'm even gonna show him off to Meg. That'll teach her not to go near him anymore." Calliope boasted. But deep down inside, she felt like it was wrong to do it.

' Meg. Did you know Callio and Dylas were dating?' Dolce texted the elf. She felt like she was upset.

* Buzz*

' Yes… Is Callio okay though?'

' She seems fine. Rather in awe about this whole thing.'

Calliope sipped her tea and started to get up. " I'm gonna go and find him now. Thanks for the tea Dolcie."

She watched as her best friend slipped away behind the door.

*Buzz*

' That's different from when he asked her out… But as long as Leon doesn't see them together, I think this will be fine.'

Oh no…This is bad. She quickly dialed Meg, feeling a little nervous over the situation. ' Dollyyyy! Huh what's wrong?' Pico! Oh for once her presence is needed. " Pico! I need you to make sure Leon doesn't see those two together. Quick!" The line picked up. ' Callio and Dylas? Okay Milady!' And poofed went Pico.

" Dolce? What's wrong?" The elf sounded concerned.

" She left." She sighed

" What?"

" Callio left to find Dylas. She's gonna show them off to everyone. And I do mean EVERYONE."

" Oh geez. We gotta stop them from seeing each other."

" I already sent Pico ahead." Dolce sighed, rushing out the door.

" Good. Text me when you spot them. I'm going to stall Leon."

" Okay." She ending the call.

This is not gonna be fun.

Meg dashed from the restaurant towards the Inn, hoping to catch Leon on his way out. The way there was almost 20 minutes but somehow she managed to get there in 10. She huffed. God she felt like a dying whale right now. Her phone buzzed. It must be Dolce.

' I found them but… They're almost there to the inn.'

Well this is fantastic. Where is Leon? She looked around and heard the front door clicked. Her head snapped up, seeing Leon walking out.

" Oh. Hello there Meg. You look kind of like a dying whale right now." He smirked. Great even he thinks so too!

" L-Leon. Hey where you're going today?" She asked still trying to catch her breath.

" To Porco's for lunch. Why?"

Meg looked over and could see Calliope, Dylas, and Dolce and Pico making their way over here. No no no!

" Uh! Um. Porco's is closed right now sorry. Hey we should go to the beach like right now."

" Hmm? What's at the beach?" Leon cocked his head to the side, his ponytail swished to the side. Huh that's different.

" You'll see!" Her eyes shifted over the group coming. Oh man those two are holding hands.

Hmm? What is she starring at? Leon slowly turned his head over.

" Eek!" Meg made a noise, catching the fox's gaze. She turned the opposite side of where they were facing and nervously laughed. " We better hurry! Can't let all this time go to waste." She ran behind him and pushed him towards the beach.

" Wha? Hey!" Leon yelled.

Sorry Leon. I can't let your feelings get hurt.

Oh good grief! Where are those two? Dolce looked around and saw them holding hands in front of the airship. Oh finally. Where's Pico?

' Hi Milady.'

" Pico? Why are you over here?"

' Dylas gave me a rude glare and told me to buzz off.' Sounds like Dylas.

" Hey Callio." Dolce called out to them.

Calliope turned around and smiled. " Oh sup Dolcie. Whatcha doing here?"

" Just wanted to hang out with you a little bit more." She pulled out her phone and texted Meg.

This might be bad. They're getting close to the inn. She sure hoped Meg got to Leon fast enough.

" We were just gonna go to the beach for a bit to see if Amber is there. I gotta show off my prize." Calliope beamed, puffing her chest out.

Oh good. That means they won't see each other at least later.

" May I come? Or am I intruding?"

" Oh not at all. The more the merrier. It's fine right Dy-Dy?" The Auburn haired girl looked up to him.

" Yeah whatever." He somewhat glared at Dolce and Pico.

What is his problem? She rolled her eyes and walked with them.

" Okay that's enough." Leon stopped and pushed Meg away. " I humored you for a bit but this is ridiculous. What are we doing here?" Meg stared at his perplexed face. She turned away for a bit, sighing.

" Oh look! Over there!" Meg pointed towards the glittering rocks.

" Oh is this what you wanted to show me? It's pretty I guess." Leon chuckled, admiring them. Nothing compares to little Calli's beauty.

Phew he took the bait. She quickly pulled out her phone from her back pocket and texted Dolce.

' Okay I took Leon to the beach. It should be safe for a while.' The tired elf let out a sigh of relief.

*buzz*

' Oh dear… We're heading to the beach right now.' No. NO NO NO!

This is not happening! She looked up and saw them coming through.

" Leon… whatever you do…" She spoke softly, tears welling up in her eyes.

Leon's ears twitched. " Hmm?"

" Don't turn around, please." A single tear slipped out.

His curiosity got the better of him and slowly turned around. " No." Meg gasped.

Great. They're at the beach. Of all places to be, why this place?! The couple in front were just yapping away. No matter what Dolce could do it probably wouldn't change their mind. I'm sorry Meg…

" Please don't go over there…" She whispered as she stopped.

Calliope semi turned around to Dolce. What did she mean by that? She turned back around to see Leon and Meg… Perfect now I can show Dylas off to her… Wait what's wrong with her? Why does she care right now? And Leon. Her heart had a sharp pain and let go of Dylas' hand. " Dylas. Can you wait for me real quick over there? Please?"

Dylas didn't particularly want her to be alone with that guy, but Meg is over there so it should be fine.

" Okay Calliope. Be careful now. If he does anything to you, just holler." He kissed her forehead and glared at Leon. He smirked in victory then left.

Mine now.

She didn't know why she told Dylas to wait over there. Hell, she didn't understand why her heart hurts really bad seeing Leon there.

Leon's eyes widened as he saw them together and glared back at Dylas. That bastard taking his Calliope away from him… But she wasn't his anymore… He looked down feeling this sudden veil of sadness wash over him, plunging him deeper in this dark water. Her face seemed confused but saddened, like she was trying figure out what to say to him. He guess it didn't matter now. She chose to be with that guy. Maybe this is a divine prank because what he did to Maria that he most rightfully deserved. A prank that he wished never came. He shook his head and chuckled to himself, walking towards the love of his life.

Meg's eyes widened with confusion. He was chuckling? How can he chuckle at a time like this? She took a step back trying to understand the situation.

Leon stopped right in front of her and gave her an empty smile. He stared into her hazel-blue eyes and felt her sadness pouring out of them.

" Leon… I-"

" I wish you two a happy life." He cut her off, feeling his own words quivering.

Calliope's tears broke through instantly. What is this pain? I feel like my heart broke to a million pieces. " That's it? You're not gonna say anything else?!"

He shook his head, still smiling. She clenched her fists, feeling a stinging sensation." It's not enough… That's not enough. Why couldn't you…" Couldn't he what? Stop them from being together? Say something else. Fight for her? She put her head down hiding her face from him.

" I'm sorry. I don't know what you want from me." Leon's ears folded a bit.

" I don't know! You could've said something else!" Calliope snapped up, tears overflowing. " You're an idiot Leon! How could you hurt me like this!" She slapped him and gasped, realizing what she had done. His face was red. Just looking at it made her face sting. " I'm sorry… I'm so sorry." She turned on the balls of her heels and rushed off.

Leon reached for her but pulled back, sighing. What could I do, when you can't remember me clearly?

" Leon?" Meg approached him cautiously. " I'm sorry. Are you alright?"

He rubbed his face a bit and cringed at the pain. " I'll be alright. Don't be sorry though. I had to face this sometime. But thank you for trying to protect me."

The sound of the water and Meg's sniffles filled the air. " Meg. You know what we should do?"

She rubbed her eyes and stared at Leon. " What?"

" We should throw her a birthday party for her next time. That should take our minds on this."

The elf's eyes sparkled from her now happy mood change. " Oh my gosh. That's perfect! I'll get everything started." She skipped away, humming an upbeat tune.

Leon laughed. At least someone is happy.

Calliope laid curled up in her bed tossing around her phone. How stupid can she get? Yelling and slapping him like. She has to apologize to him. Not to mention Dylas, who she yelled at too.

She picked up her phone and began dialing Dylas' number. As she was about to press call, she deleted it and tossed her phone. Ugh this is pointless. She'll just talk to him later or something.

Her phone started spazzing out. Someone is calling her? She looked at the phone sighing. Great it was Leon. He's probably gonna chew her out for slapping and yelling at him. Might as well grin and bear it.

" … Hello?" She cautiously spoke, gulping.

" Hello from the other side. I must have called a thousand times. To tell you I'm sorry, for-"

" Stop. Don't quote Adele like this. It matches too perfectly haha." Calliope laughed. He made me laugh after what I did too him.

" Thought I had to come up with something witty to break the ice."

" Well it worked out." Huh it sounds like he's walking somewhere.

" Hey, I'm sorry for what I said back there." He's sorry? No it's not his fault.

" What?! You don't need to be sorry. I'm the one that's sorry. I yelled and slapped you for no reason." She clenched her phone tightly. " I really hope you can forgive me."

There was a long pause that felt uncomfortable to her. Calliope shuffled a bit on her bed. " Leon?"

"I'll forgive you, under one condition." Leon sighed softly. " You have to call me Master for a day."

" Not gonna happen freak." He laughed at her remark. His infectious laugh caused Callio to laugh loudly. It's so weird. She felt so comfortable with him. Calling him names, being stupid… It feels so familiar.

" Do you feel better?"

She nodded, still giggling a bit. " Yeah. I feel much better."

" Well good. You owe 20,000 gold and five thumps to the head for my service."

Her jaw instantly dropped. What did he say?!" What?! You must be joking!" She stared at her phone with confusion.

" Hahaha. Only kidding princess."

" You gave me a heart attack you jerk off." She puffed out her cheeks.

" But in all seriousness, I'll forgive you if you send a picture of yourself smiling."

A picture of me smiling? Really? " Oh uh okay. That's a really weird condition." She went to her camera and changed it to the front camera. Oh ew that's what she looks like? " This is really awkward."

" Just do it."

" Whatever Shia Labeouf." Ugh no matter how many times she takes a photo it just looks ugly and forced. " I can't do this. Every picture looks fugly to me."

" Every one of those are probably really beautiful. No matter what picture it is, you'll always be beautiful in my eyes."

That was super corny but, that made her smile more than she thought it could. She took a picture with a natural looking smile. Success! An actual good selfie of myself. Thanks Leon… You really are the best. She sent the picture to him and blushed a bit.

" There I sent it. Looks awful huh."

" I'm gonna print this out and hang it on my wall."

" What! Nooo way. That stays there on your damn phone you hear me?!" Calliope screeched.

" But, you just look too cute. It would look even better if I was in it kissing you huh?"

Her face turned scarlet. Her mind going fuzzy. " Huh? Wha?"

" Just kidding."

This bitch, I swear. " You jerk! Arrrrgh!" She through her phone away from her on her bed.

" So cute. Bye Calli." He cooed.

" It's Calliope you jerk!" The call ended

Geez this is a nightmare… Or rather a fun dream. Oh! I need to call Dylas.

A knock was heard on the door. Calliope snapped up and saw a figure jump off from her terrace. She rushed at the door hoping to find the culprit. Dang that guy's fast.

" Hm? What are these?" She looked down and picked up a bouquet of Forget-Me-Nots… Her favorite flowers. Did Dylas leave them there? No he doesn't know her favorite flowers… Leon?

" Well if it was you Leon. Thanks for the flowers. Hmm… You know what? I'll make a flower crown outta these haha."